Adjustable block



Jan. 1, 1952 E. A. ODIN ADJUSTABLE BLOCK Filed sept. 9,` 194e PatentedJan. l, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE BLOCK Eugene A.Odin, Chicago, Ill. Application september 9, 1948, seria1N0.48,342 c"The invention relates generally to an adjus- 'table structure, Yand moreparticularly to such a structure which may be `adapted for use inconnection with a clamping mechanism or the like.

The invention has among its objects the production of such an adjustablestructure which, for example, may be utilized in connection with a visemechanism or the like, whereby tapered and other non-rectangular objectsmay be readily held by such clamping mechanism, which adjustablestructure is very simple in construction, durable and very efficient forthe purposes intended, and which may be constructed as an integralassembly with no separate or loose parts, and which is spring `biased toreturn the parts to a normal operating position.

Many other objects and advantages` of the construction herein shown and`described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosure herein given.

To this endmy invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an adjutable block embodying thepresent invention with portions thereof broken away to disclose thedetails of construction;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 3--3 of Fig.1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig.1.

For the purposes of explanation, the present invention is illustratedinthe drawings in the form of an adjustable block particularly adaptedfor use in vises to provide an adjustable jaw, whereby tapered and othernon-rectangularly shaped objects may be readily held in such a vise.

The construction illustrated comprises a pair of rectangularly shapedmembers or blocks I and 2 arranged in spaced opposed relation with theirrespective outer faces 3 and 4, and their respective inner faces 5 and 6normally being substantially parallel. In the construction illustrated,each of the members I and 2 is provided with an arcuate shaped groove orchannel, the groove I in the member I, and the groove 8 in the member 2having the same radius of generation and aligned with each other.Positioned in both grooves is a cylindrically shaped pin 9 4 claims.(c1. azi- 40)v` which has the same radius of generation as the grooves 1and 8, so that the cooperating surfaces of the grooves and pin arecomplementary to one another. l

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the pin 9 is secured to the member I by acylindrical pin or key II inserted in an aperture I2 in the member I,and an aperture I3 in the pin 9, the diameters of the apertures I2 andI3 and key II being such to provide a press t when the key II isinserted in the respective apertures, thus securely fastening the pin 9to the member I. The pin 9 is also provided, in the constructionillustrated.

Vwith a pair of transversely extending holes I4 communicating at theirrespective ends with the grooves 1 and 8. Extending through each of theholes I4 and having their ends extending through holes I5 and I6 in themembers I and 2 respectively, is an elongated substantially straightspring element I1. The size of the ends of the elements I1 and the sizelof the holes l5 and I6. in the respective members, are such that thevspring elements, when inserted into the respective members, will besecurely held in place by a press t, thereby maintaining the blocks inassembled relation on the pin 9. It will be noted that the diameter ofthe spring elements II is considerably less than that of the holes I4,so that the member 2 may be rotated about the axis of the pin, thespring elements I'I having sutilcient space to flex, as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 2, the elements having suicient inherent resiliencyto return the block 2 to its normal position, illustrated in thedrawings, when pressure is released from the blocks.

The device illustrated may be utilized as an adjustable jaw inconnection with a vise structure, in which case, the device ispositioned between the open vise jaws, one of the faces 3 or 4 beingengaged with'one of the jaws ofthe vise. When an article is placed inthe vise between the free or exposed face of the device and the otherjaw of the vise, and the vise jaws moved towards one another, themembers I and 2 are free to move about the axis of the pin 9 and adjustthemselves to the surface of the article to be held, pressure beingtransmitted from one member to the other through the pin 9, suchstresses being distributed over the arcuate surfaces of the grooves 'Iand 8 and cooperating outer surface of the pin 9.

It will be apparent that the amount of adjustability desired may bevaried to meet individual requirements by varying the size of themembers I and 2, the distance between the members and the size of thepin employed. Likewise, the members I and 2 may be of any suitable shapeto meet particular applications of the invention, and if desired, thepin 9 Yor its equivalent may be integrally formed with the member 2, inwhich case, the key Il could be omitted.

It will be noted from the above description that I have provided a novelconstruction for achieving adjustability between two members, whichconstruction. is very' simple and has, a minimum E 1. In:v a.Y deviceofl the kind described, the combination-.of/ a pair'of opposedspaced-apart members, one of said members; hav-ing an arcuate concavelongitudinally extending groove: formed in one off the faces thereof,and the remaining one ofi said members.b having` arr arcuate convex 1longitudinally extending: ridge formedl i-n the opposing tace thereof,said concave groover and said convex' ridge being complementari-lyformed and providing; bearing. surfaces for transmitting' compressionYstresses fromL one; member to the Vother aswell asl serving to'` spacethe said mem:-

bers apart, theconvex: arcuate ridge portion. hav'- ing at least. onetransversey hole. therein, and a resilient spring element. extendingthrough. said hole with. each of the ends thereoi secured. to;- arespective one of' said. members.. saidelement serving to; main-tainsaid members ini assembled relation but. having suihcient; transversenexibility to permit relative movement; of saidy members about: the.axisr of said convex ridge portion.

2.. In. a device of the kind described, the com.- bination.r off a pairof spaced opposed members,

like radiiV in their opposed4 faces, anA intermediate member; having thesame radins. of generation as said depressions; said intermediate memberbeing seated: in: both of. sa-id depressions and operative to; transmitcompression stresses: from one: mem-V ber to the other, saidintermediate; member' having a hole therein, and, a resilient. springelement -each having an arcuate; shaped depression: of

pv.' sitioned` in said `hole with its endsA rigidly se cured to.- therespective opposed members;v forv 3. In an adjustable block. thecombination of a pair of spaced blocks of rectangular shape, each havingan arcuate shaped groove of like radii in their opposed faces, acylindrical pin having the same radius of generation as said grooves,said pin being seated in both of said grooves and operative to transmitcompression stresses from one block to the other, means for rigidlysecuring said pin to one of said blocks, said pin having a hole. thereinextending transversely to the axis thereof and communicating with the'respective grooves in said blocks, and an elongated straight springelement extending through said hole with the ends of said elementsecured to respective blocks, said element being substantially nonextensiblelongitudinally to maintain said blocks inl assembled relationbut having suilicient transverse flexibility to permit relative movementthereof about the axis of said pin.

4. In a device of the kind described, the combination. of a pair oispaced members.Y each. hav-V ing an arcuate shaped depression. of like.radii in theirV opposed, faces, an, intermediate, member having theVsame. radius of generation as. said depressions, said intermediatemember being seated.. in both of said depressions and operativetotransmit compression, stresses from one mem- EUGENE A. onrN.

REFERENCES CITED The following, references are of record inA the file,of. this. patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS.;

Number Name Date 292,874 Thompson Feb. 5 1884 629,783- Fanning Aug.v l,1899 1,006,509 Starrett Oct. 24,' 1911 FOREIGN PATENTS liumberv Coun-tryDate 40,350 .Switzerland July 1.1,. 190,7 229,083 Great Britain Feb.v 191925 operatively mainta'ming` said members. in` assem- OTHER REFERENCES'Publication, Popular Science,l November 1.944, reverse. side of' page.194.

